Emergency Scenario 600_f2

Location Information

Full Location:

Hafnarstræti 18, 600 Akureyri, ground floor retail space. Single-story commercial building constructed in 1965, renovated in 2010. Main entrance at street level, large glass windows. No elevator. Street parking available. Building has fire alarm and security cameras. Current conditions: 7°C, overcast, good visibility. GPS coordinates: 65.6824° N, 18.0889° W. Nearest landmark: Akureyri Art Museum.

Municipality: Akureyri

Postal Code: 600

Emergency Details

Type: Syncope - Unwitnessed Collapse

Priority Level: F2

Response Time Goal: Within 20 minutes

Description:

55-year-old male, found unresponsive in a retail store. Primary symptoms: Unresponsive, no apparent breathing, no pulse detected by caller. Secondary symptoms: None reported. Patient is lying on the floor next to a clothing rack. No known medical history provided. No medications or allergies reported. Last known activity: browsing clothes in the store. Time of collapse unknown.

History of Events

Timeline:
10:10 hours: Caller (store employee) found patient collapsed on the floor.
10:11 hours: Caller attempted to wake the patient, no response.
10:12 hours: Caller checked for breathing, reports no breathing and no pulse.
10:13 hours: Caller initiated emergency call.
10:14 hours: Current time, patient still unresponsive, no breathing, no pulse.

Prior Events: No prior events known to the caller. No prior complaints from the patient during his time in the store. Patient was seen browsing clothes about 5 minutes prior to being found collapsed. No witnesses to the actual collapse.

Diagnostics

Initial Assessment

Initial Impression: Cardiac Arrest - Unwitnessed Collapse
Justification for F2 Classification:
- Unresponsive patient with no breathing and no pulse reported
- High probability of cardiac arrest requiring immediate intervention
- Time-critical condition requiring rapid defibrillation and CPR

Differential Diagnoses:
1. Cardiac Arrest (high probability)
2. Severe Hypoglycemia (less likely, no history of diabetes)
3. Seizure with Postictal State (less likely, no reported seizure activity)
4. Stroke (less likely, no reported focal neurological deficits)

Required Actions:
- Immediate dispatch of ground EMS with ALS capabilities
- CPR instructions to caller
- Dispatch of AED if available nearby
- Early hospital notification with cardiac arrest alert

Final Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis: Ventricular Fibrillation leading to Cardiac Arrest
Key Findings:
- EMS arrival confirmed patient in cardiac arrest, initial rhythm was Ventricular Fibrillation
- Successful defibrillation restored spontaneous circulation
- Patient was intubated and ventilated on scene
- Patient was transported to hospital, post resuscitation care was initiated

Outcome validated F2 priority assignment. Rapid CPR and defibrillation were crucial for patient survival. Patient was admitted to ICU for further monitoring and treatment. Patient had no prior history of cardiac issues.

Learning Points:
1. F2 classification was appropriate due to the time-critical nature of cardiac arrest
2. Caller's quick assessment and CPR initiation were critical
3. Early defibrillation significantly improved the outcome

Emergency Call Transcript

Dispatcher Emergency services, what's your emergency?

Caller I need an ambulance! Someone has collapsed in the store.

Dispatcher Okay, I'm sending help. What is your address?

Caller It's Hafnarstræti 18, Akureyri, it's a clothing store.

Dispatcher Help is on its way. Can you tell me what happened?

Caller I found him on the floor, he's not moving. I tried to wake him up but he doesn't respond.

Dispatcher Is he breathing?

Caller No, I don't think so. I can't feel a pulse either.

Dispatcher Okay, I need you to start chest compressions. I will guide you. Do you know how to do CPR?

Caller I think so, I've seen it on TV. I'm not sure I can do it right.

Dispatcher It's okay, I will help you. Place your hands in the center of his chest, and push down hard and fast. We need to do this until the ambulance arrives.

Caller Okay, I'm doing it, I'm pushing down. Is the ambulance coming soon?

Dispatcher Yes, they are on their way. Keep going, you are doing great. Just keep pushing hard and fast.